Matthew 22:1-14
Key Verse:
But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Matthew 22:11-12 (NLT)
Today’s Key Verse speaks both responsibility and freedom to me.
I am to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone.
What they choose to do with the Good News is totally up to them.
In the parable of the wedding feast, one of the guests was not wearing the wedding garment. In other words, he came to the feast but refused to wear the wedding garment provided. God’s word is very clear. When a person refuses Jesus, they are refusing the wedding garment provided by the King. They are rejecting Jesus and their choice excludes them from the wedding festivities.
In Jesus’ time, the wedding garments were provided by the host. Jesus clothes us in His righteousness the moment we choose to believe He is The Way and become His follower. His righteousness is our wedding feast garment provided by the King.
On the day the wedding feast begins, all will know Jesus is the LORD of lords. On that day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, but it will be too late for those who have refused the invitation to exchange their righteousness for the righteousness of Jesus. They will not be clothed in the wedding garment provided by the King. They will be thrown out of the kingdom.
Since Jesus is the only light in heaven, and there will be complete and utter darkness outside of His kingdom for those who refused to believe Jesus is the only way by which all mankind may be saved.
Until then, let’s share the King’s invitation with everyone, pray for them, and treat them with the same lovingkindness the LORD has given us.
Let’s remember the joy of our salvation and share it with enthusiasm.
LORD, thank You for loving us and providing a way for us to be in relationship with You. Help us to trust Your love. Protect us from becoming stingy with You. Keep us steadfast in the way we walk. Cause our hearts to overflow with the joy of Your salvation. Holy Spirit fill us. Give us the courage and the words to tell others about Jesus. Amen.
Your Invitation:
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13 (ESV)
FYI: The Good News was first for the Jews, but they rejected Jesus. God foresaw this and had already planned to extend His invitation to the Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew). The Good News of Jesus is for all people. None are excluded.
You are precious and loved by God. He created you, loves you, and wants to show you the way to live a life of joy right here in the middle of life’s troubles. Not sure? You can use the link below to find out more about how you can take your first step into the relationship you were born to experience. I’m praying for you!